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Year 7

Checking understanding of addition and subtraction with fractions

I can use the mathematical structures that underpin the addition and subtraction of fractions.

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New

Year 7

Checking understanding of addition and subtraction with fractions

I can use the mathematical structures that underpin the addition and subtraction of fractions.

Download all resources

Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

The denominators of each fraction should split the whole into the same number of equal pieces.
The numerators are added or subtracted.
The size of each piece has not changed so the denominator does not change.

Keywords

Numerator - The expression in a fraction that is written above the fraction line. It is the dividend.
Denominator - The expression in a fraction that is written below the fraction line. It is the divisor.
Proper fraction - A proper fraction is a fraction where the numerator is less than the denominator.
LCM - LCM is an abbreviation for lowest common multiple.

Common misconception

Simply adding or subtracting the numerators and denominators.

Emphasise that the denominator tells us the name of the unit. In order to add or subtract things they must have a common name.

Confidence with equivalent fractions is key in this lesson. Use mini whiteboards and ask students to write down as many equivalent fractions as they can. You could give them a pair of fractions and decide which is most useful for combining them.

Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on

Open Government Licence version 3.0

except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

What is the word for the number above the fraction line?

Correct Answer: numerator

Q2.

Which of the following are equivalent to $${2}\over{3}$$?

Correct answer: $${4}\over{6}$$

$${8}\over{10}$$

Correct answer: $${10}\over{15}$$

Correct answer: $${14}\over{21}$$

$${24}\over{35}$$

Q3.

Calculate $${2}\over{7}$$ + $${4}\over{7}$$.

$${2}\over{7}$$

$${3}\over{7}$$

Correct answer: $${6}\over{7}$$

$${8}\over{7}$$

Q4.

Calculate $${6}\over{7}$$ - $${3}\over{7}$$.

$${1}\over{7}$$

$${2}\over{7}$$

Correct answer: $${3}\over{7}$$

$${4}\over{7}$$

Q5.

The larger the denominator, the the parts.

Correct Answer: smaller

Q6.

Sort the following from smallest to largest.

1 - $${1}\over{20}$$

2 - $${1}\over{13}$$

3 - $${1}\over{9}$$

4 - $${1}\over{5}$$

5 - $${1}\over{3}$$

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

The most efficient way to add or subtract fractions is using the .

HCF

Correct answer: LCM

same denominator

doing the same to the top and bottom

Q2.

Which of the following is not a common denominator of $${1}\over{4}$$ and $${7}\over{12}$$?

Correct answer: 2

120

Q3.

$$\frac{2}{7} + \frac{1}{8} \square \frac{2}{7} + \frac{1}{9}$$

Correct answer: >

Q4.

Calculate $${5}\over{12}$$ - $${1}\over{4}$$.

$${4}\over{8}$$

Correct answer: $${2}\over{12}$$

$${3}\over{12}$$

$${4}\over{12}$$

Q5.

Which of the following is not a correct alternative for $${1}\over{4}$$ - $${5}\over{8}$$ + $${3}\over{16}$$?

$${1}\over{4}$$ + $${3}\over{16}$$ - $${5}\over{8}$$

Correct answer: $${1}\over{4}$$ - $$\left(\frac{5}{8} + \frac{3}{16}\right)$$

$${1}\over{4}$$ + $${3}\over{16}$$ + $$\left(-\frac{5}{8}\right)$$

Q6.

Calculate $${1}\over{4}$$ - $${5}\over{8}$$ + $${3}\over{16}$$?

$$\left(-\frac14\right)$$

$$\left(-\frac2{16}\right)$$

Correct answer: $$\left(-\frac3{16}\right)$$

$$\left(-\frac9{16}\right)$$